'Star Wars' Fans Wait At Wrong Theater

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by ubergeek42

Did I miss something? Have you already seen the movie?

Fool me once....

I think her point was that those lining up aren't even necessarily expecting to enjoy the film. They've already been down that road twice. It's the experience of being out there that they like, the film be damned.

[innerSpaceman]

Heheh, I'm sure SacTown was well aware I was involved in this; otherwise why throw my own barbed insult back at me now that the occassion allows?


Before we Disney geeks get all holier than thou about us Star Wars nerds, let me give you an analogy that might help you grasp the situation:

Let's say that Disneyland is celebrating a major milestone in 2005, it's 50th Birthday. Hotels sold out long ago, and so all the Disneyland fans have long-standing plans for stays and parties and celebrating the 50th at the Disneyland Resort.

Suddenly, weeks before the event, Disneyland announces that the Park will be closed on July 17 so that it can host a press-only synergy salute to Walt Disney World. We are informed that the party will instead be held at its brand new theme park, Hong Kong Disneyland and we are all cordially invited to go over there. They will provide airfare.

But the fans decide to keep their celebration at Disneyland. They might not be allowed inside the park, but they will have the bulk of their celebration and a boatload of fun at the Disneyland Hotel, the Park Inn, Sephora, The Uva Bar, the Grand Cal Lounge and even inside DCA.

They have high hopes that, if they refuse to accept the bribe to fly to Hong Kong, bad publicity will force Disney's hand to let all APs and their guests into the July 17 formerly-press-only event. So they're not moving. If they accept the bribe to move to Hong Kong, there is zero chance that Disney will let them inside Disneyland; whereas if they stay at the Disneyland Resort, there is a slight chance that the Walt Disney Co. will relent.

And the worst case scenario is that all the fun and frolic and friendmaking and frenzy that happens at the Park Inn and Disneyland Hotel and Uva Bar and Grand Cal Lounge will still happen, and the fans will still celebrate Disneyland's 50th Birthday in high style. Disneyland can't stop that. The celebration goes on regardless.



* * * * *

I hope this is an analogy that Disneyland fans can understand.

The situation with the Star Wars line is tearing another group of my friends apart. It is high drama and calamity of the highest order as we scramble to keep the film at the Chinese, and try to hold off other theaters (namely the Cinerama Dome and the Vista) that are offering us enticements to move over there. Almost 50 people have been involved with planning the line for almost a year. The logistical requirements of an event of this kind are enormous. We must get clearances from the police, the theater and the local businesses to take over a large spot on the public property of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. We have electricity, and wireless DSL, arrangements for 24-hour restrooms, and a vibrant, active neighborhood that we would have nowhere else. I have sunk $1000 into building the protective shelter that we live and party in, and over 200 people are participating so far. We expect that number to double in the next few weeks. We all come and go as we please, our individual hours on line are tracked, and we keep a constant presence on Hollywood Boulevard 24/7. We have places to park, discounts at local eateries, and Coldstone Creamery has renamed two flavors for us (Darth Vader Delight and Yoda Mint) and are contributing part of every sale to our charity sponsor. We raise tens of thousands of dollars for the Starlight*Starbright Children's Foundation, and rely on our high profile on Hollywood Bouelvard to drive donations. Waiting at the "Wrong" Theater has given us a high profile in the news, and that also drives donations.

We are not going anywhere. It's not possible. Besides the logistical support that is unique to where we are, Hollywood is full-o-fun and action - and there is a constant stream of never-the-same-people past our line, as if we lived on the banks of a human river. It's an incredible scifi fandom street festival going on every day and night for the next 6 weeks. I invite you all to come on by and have a good time, cause the good times are going to continue whether the movie plays at the Chinese or not - and there's nothing 20th Century Fox or Lucasfilm Ltd. or Mann Theaters Corporation can do to stop it! The celebration goes on regardless.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Fool me once....

I think her point was that those lining up aren't even necessarily expecting to enjoy the film. They've already been down that road twice. It's the experience of being out there that they like, the film be damned.

What he said, exactly. To finish the sentence - Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me a third time, wtf???

Originally Posted by ubergeek42

I know you have your issues with Lucas and the late SW films, but does it have to be brought up in every thread that mentions SW?

Yes. Although I didn't mention it in the AT-ST thread.

I totally agree with what NA said too....especially with the "50 hours" thing floating in our minds.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Heh, of course, huge post right before mine. Great analogy.

[SacTown Chronic]

Now that the true meaning behind my post has been revealed by my intended target, let me set the record straight:

I have no negative thoughts about Star Wars geeks or their epic camp outs. In fact, part of me is so very jealous of their carefree fun. I saw an opening this morning so I took it. End of story.


Now, back to the geeky fun.

[CoasterMatt]

BTW, I have no ill will towards the fans waiting at Grauman's - I'll be visiting them with a special treat after work on Friday. I just thought it was interesting that there's so much coverage. Have fun

[cirquelover]

It sounds like a party in the streets,erm, sidewalk!

I know we lined up this weekend so my boy could have the Darth Vader voice changer/mask. That thing is really cooler than I thought. He looks just like a little Darth Vader and sounds like one too! You have no idea what it was like to wake up to the sound of Darth coming down the hall the next morning, it actually scared me for a minute!! Now he's saving for the color changing light saber, I think.

[lizziebith]

Yes lizziebith is out on the Boulevard too! I've met many cool new people already. Sadly, I've also gotten into *******-matches with bloggers over our motives. I should not take the flame-bait. I admit that one of my personality defects is a tendency to be...earnest . Which is like having a target painted on me in the cynical internet-world.

Anyway, even if Ep. III is dreadful, I'm enjoying myself. Can't wait until iSm comes back to the line! Hope to see the rest of you, even as visitors, there too!

The only thing missing is Naugles, eh Chris?

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Geeks don't dis other geeks.

Hurrah!

[Mousey Girl]

Sounds like it is going to be a blast. These are the times I wish I had both the time and money to take part (and that I didn't live 2 1/2 hours away).